KNAPDALE SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 21

KNAPDALE SCHOOL.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. GORE, January 13. The jubilee celebrations in connection with the Knapdale School were commenced on Friday, when cx-pupils gathered in full force to mark this important milestone in the history of the settlement. On August 11, 1879, the school was opened, and on that day some 40 children had their first, experience of school. During the intervening years over 714 pupils have passed through the portals of the school. The Knapdale Estate was cut up and sold on October 4, 1877, and it was about two years later that the school was established. The school opened under the guidance of Mr Egbert Wright, who served for three years. The other headmasters who have taught at the school arc as follows: —Neil Sutherland (1881), R. H. O'Farrell (1882), W. D. M'Clure (1884-85), Esau Fisher (1885-90), Angus M’Neil (1890-92), John APKinnon (189299), Walter J Rogers (1899-190?), F. R. Blue (1903-09), R. N. Fraser U 90911), Mary E. White (1911-17), Margaret Rose (1917-22), William Sullivan (192225). R. N. Fraser (present headmaster). Many of the pupils of the school have upheld the fame of the district, and it stands to the credit of their teachers that a number have climbed high in their spheres of life. In the professions. Miss E. Wilson, who was the first teacher to qualify from Knapdale, held an important position at the Gore School, until she retired a few years ago. Miss Maud Wilson is head mistress at the King Edward Technical College at Dunedin. Mr Duncan Rae is headmaster of a leading Auckland school. Mr S. Dunn is on the staff of the Whangarei High School. In other professions are found Mr E. C. Wilson, surveyor and civil engineer at Gore; Mr R. Archibald, of the staff of tire Bank of New Zealand at Invercargill; and Mr W. Dunn, secretary of the Hawke s Bay Education Board. The school also claims as an ex-pupli, Mr James Speden. The celebrations commenced in Mr S Graham’s paddock (portion of the original Knapdale homestead block), where some 800 persons gathered. A thanksgiving service was held outside the school. The Rev. A. W. Armstrong presided and delivered a brief address. Mr W. H. Miller, whose name is first on the original roll of the school, was president, and the duties of secretary were capably carried out by Mr R. N. Fraser, the present head-

master. Mr Miller welcomed the visitors, after which he placed a beautiful wreath of honour made by Miss Maud Wilson, on the roll of honour, as a tribute to tlisc ex-pupils who fought and fell in the Great War. A lengthy sports programme was then put through and thoroughly enjoyed by In the evening the Knapdale Hall was not nearly large enough to hold all who sought admission to the jubilee conceit. The programme was given by ex-puoils of the school, and all the items were of the old-tiine variety. J t was a partic’i larly pleasing effort, and spontaneous applause rewarded each performer. The jubilee dinner was held in the I own Hall at Gore on Saturday night, when some 250 persons gathered to celebrate the occasion. Mr W. H. Miller presided. Mr Fraser (secretary) read messages of felicitation from Mr G. J. r~, ant J ess rs Adam Hamilton, M-1 .. r. G. Stevenson, R. Brownlie, and the Rev. Mr Mitchell. Mr Fraser stated that he had got in touch with nearly all the ex-teachers of the school, and’ had received many messages of goodwill. In connection with “ schoolmates who have passed away,” he would like to mention the Rev. W. Wright, the first settled minister at Knapdale, who had just died. o’ L ,. Byars Proposed the toast of lhe Southland Education Board.” The members of the board had always done their best for the children, and education in the province had advanced along progressive lines, lhe board had done well by country children in building schools and supplying teachers. He also referred to the Education Board staff and to Mr '' ’i v late architect to the board, and Mr Gough, who was now carrving on the architectural work of the board. Mr Byars then quoted figures showing the progress of education and the board in Southland.

■ Jones (chairman of the .Southland Education Board), in responding. quoted figures showing the relative expenditure on town and country schools, the figures being for the year 1929. The amount spent on town schools for the maintenance of school buildings was £6lB. allo '' ln K a cost per unit of attendance of i The amount for country schoo’s had been £6716, showing a cost per unit of attendance of 16s 7d. The Government grant for expenditure on buildings and sites for town schools had been £1226, showing a cost per unit of attendance of 6s 7d. That for the country schools had been £7380 and £1 19s 4d respectively. The payments made to town school committees for school fund incidentals had been £222 13s, at a cost per unit of 6s 6d. The amount paid to country schools had been £.5226 15s 3d. at a. cost of 12s lld per unit. The expenditure on teachers’ salaries had been £105,621 18s lid.

Mr IT ugh Smith (a member of the board) also replied, stating that educating children was a great work. He remembered when he landed in Dunedin in 1863 and went to school in 1864. There was no free education in those days, but the pioneers had made provision by setting aside blocks of land. When he was in Dunedin at the jubilee of his old school. Professor White had told him that the best students came from Southland. Southland had given one Prime Minister, and at present was represented by i.ve Ministers in the Cabinet. Other toasts honoured were:— “ Early Settlers,” proposed by Mr D. M’Dougall, M.P., and responded to Mr R. L. Byars; “ Committeemen, Past and Present,” proposed by Mr E. Collins and responded to by Messrs W. Irvine and R. Tutty; “The Old Girls,” proposed by Messrs D. Dunn and J. M‘Queen and responded to by Mcsdames G. Gcrkin and Allchurch; “ Ex-teachers,” proposed by Mr P. Mallon and Mrs Barnett and responded to by Miss Egerton and Mr R. N. Fraser; “ Old Boys,” proposed by Miss E. Wilson and Nir J. Speden; “The Old School.” Mrs J. Grant and Mr J. Speden; “Knapdale’s Future Prosperity.” Mr A. M’Nab and Mrs F. Murray; ” The Press ” an 4 “ The Chairman.”